By MERI R. KENNEDY

The Cranston Senior Games celebrated 20 years over the weekend, while events under the new banner “55+ Living Better, Living Longer: A Celebration of Fitness for the Body and Mind” continue later this month.

This year’s games – which will be the last as traditionally constituted – drew 739 participants in a range of events. Most of the activity was held at Cranston High School West.

Competitions included 10-pin and duckpin bowling, billiards, cycling, bocce, swimming, basketball, track and field events, horseshoes, obstacle course, mah jong, chess, dominoes, Scrabble and baggo.

“We had more than 60 student volunteers from [the University of Rhode Island] and [the New England Institute of Technology] that made the events possible,” said Sue Stenhouse, Cranston’s executive director of senior services. “NEIT physical therapy students developed an obstacle course and provided neck and hand massages for our participant.”

Inclement weather did force the cancellation of tennis and a pickleball tournament to be held in memory of Bob Walker, who was the state’s pickleball ambassador.

“All other events went on as planned,” Stenhouse said. “We are receiving great feedback from all our venues, volunteers and participants. We are ending this 20-year celebration of fitness on an incredible high. It would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, especially CVS Health and the Atwood Avenue store. Our other silver and bronze sponsors include Verizon, Falvey Linen, AARP, Neighborhood Health and RIPTA.”

This year’s torchbearers, Anna and Jerry Masse, and torch lighter John Bizon were emotional during their part of the program, while lighting their version of the Olympic flame inside the Cranston West auditorium.

Bianca Sperduti performed the national anthem, and the Party Band under the direction of Mark Bedrossian provided entertainment.

This year’s games were broadened to include new offerings focused on health and well being for those 55 years of age and older, which will also be the focus in future years. On Oct. 28, world-renowned Alzheimer’s disease researcher Dr. Rudolph Tanzi – a native of Cranston – will speak at his alma mater, Cranston High School East.

“This year we are focused on activities which promote independence and well-being for older adults. We have designed our events to broaden awareness of the positive aspects of aging and focused on providing inspiration for healthy living to adults ages 55 and older,” Stenhouse said.

“People in the U.S. are living longer than ever before, and as a result want to manage the changes to their bodies and minds as they age. In honor of these efforts, we are celebrating body fitness via our 20th annual Senior Games and mind fitness with a very special presentation, ‘Ending Alzheimer’s Disease by 2025,’ with Cranston’s own world acclaimed speaker, author and researcher, Dr. Rudolph Tanzi,” she added.

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung addressed the auditorium of senior athletes, and keynote speaker Anne Marie Ludovici-Connolly provided a wonderful address to the audience.